Michele Sprague

Studies show a grass lawn is water intensive and on average it require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. I will do one or more of the following actions in my yard or community to conserve water and improve habitat: plant indigenous plants, landscape with water-efficient plants, add mulching, replace a lawn, and/or use eco-friendly fertilizers.

Access to public transportation enables more opportunity and a better quality of life. I will make 0 phone calls and/or send 10 emails per day to public officials to advocate for a more comprehensive public transportation system in my region.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will have a conversation with one or more nonprofit organizations I want to be involved with.

I will become a savvy produce shopper when buying organic and non-organic items.

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing or my current investment portfolio to determine if they align with my values.

I will make a few homemade cleaning products.

Each day, I will track my purchases to identify my spending habits. This will allow me to see what purchases can be reduced.

I spend 30 minutes analyzing my recent utility bills, which might include electricity, gas, or water to see what my current usage is and determine if I can reduce my energy and water use.

I will express my love and gratitude for our planet by writing a love letter, poem, song or taking a picture. I will share this in the Ecochallenge feed or on my social media.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will plant pollinator-friendly plants in my area to support local pollinators.

I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste.

For an upcoming vacation, I will spend 60 minutes planning out a staycation in my region. For reference, one several hour flight releases the equivalent of nearly 14% of the annual emissions from a car.

Access to affordable, nutritious food is a food justice issue. I will advocate for equitable food options at work, campus, or in the spaces I frequent by contacting community leaders and/or doing other advocacy actions.

I will try a new vegan or vegetarian recipe and share how it turns out on the Ecochallenge feed, or with family and friends.

I will spend 30 learning about the past and present indigenous communities in my regions and what I can do to be supportive.

Within my community at home or work, I will organize or attend a local cleanup event.

I will spend 60 minutes learning about water justice in my region.

I will use the communication methods I read about to practice effective, compassionate, and nonviolent communication with someone I interact with regularly (i.e., my roommate, parents, co-worker, partner, classmates, or children).

The SDG for education and livelihood says it all - "The UN recognizes that equitable education needs to be available for all along with productive employment and decent work. Both education and decent work are crucial for sustainable communities that create a good quality of life by reducing the negative impacts of activities that are hazardous to human health and the environment."

Each day, I will go on a plog or plalk for 10 minutes and collect 2 items of litter.

I will find out what food programs are in my area and donate food and/or other items that they request.

I will replace 10 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, or practicing gratitude for nature.

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.